CASTLETON (Vermont) – ACTRESS Mia Farrow’s brother, a sculptor, killed himself at his art gallery in Vermont, state police and a spokeswoman for the actress said on Wednesday.

Patrick Farrow, 66, died of a single gunshot wound to the head late on Monday night in his studio, a converted church, authorities said.

Farrow and his wife, Susan, regularly walked along the main thoroughfare in Castleton, a central Vermont town of about 4,300 not far from the New York border.

Police had initially classified Farrow’s death as suspicious, but later said the medical examiner’s ruling of suicide was consistent with evidence found at the scene.

Patrick and Mia Farrow are the children of director John Farrow and actress Maureen O’Sullivan.

Mia Farrow’s movie credits include ‘Rosemary’s Baby,’ ‘Hannah and Her Sisters’ and ‘Crimes and Misdemeanours.’

‘The family of Patrick Farrow is grieving the tragic loss of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who sadly chose to take his own life,’ said Mia Farrow’s manager, Laura Berwick.

‘They greatly appreciate the support of their friends during this difficult time.’

Farrow was a professional sculptor for more than 35 years. The Web site for the Farrow Gallery says it sells jewellery and mixed-media works of art. The gallery was quiet on Wednesday. — AP

But halfway through the recording of Channel U talk show CelebriTEA Break II, host Quan Yifeng suddenly asked to touch her breasts.

Ann was shocked but allowed Yifeng to prod her chest, while fully clothed, of course.

This episode of the talk show was filmed more than two months ago, and is one in the series of provocative celebrity interviews viewers will see since the talk show started its second season run on 10 Jun.

The series is aired every Wednesday night.

The episode featuring Ann, 36, will be aired next month.

During the recording, Ann was talking about her family and career path.

Halfway through, one of Ann’s friends, Mr Chen Wencong, 36, a MediaCorp scriptwriter and fellow Star Search finalist with Ann in 1993, was invited by the producers on the set.

He recounted how he was often asked by others whether the voluptuous actress has had breast enlargement.

Yifeng then spontaneously volunteered to solve this ‘mystery’ by conducting a ‘touch test’.

When contacted, Ann told The New Paper that initially, she was shocked.

‘But I wasn’t offended. It’s just to create an entertainment effect after all.’

In a separate interview, Yifeng, 35, said the test wasn’t scripted for the show.

‘We were just reacting to the flow of the conversation in the programme.

‘Although the director roughly told us what we can talk about, there are no limits set on the questions we can raise.’

She added that she was not worried that Ann would be offended, because ‘it was done in a relaxed atmosphere’.

Yifeng said although tough questions may be asked during the show, it’s up to the celebrity guest to decide how to react.

There’s no pressure to respond in any particular way. (See report right.)

And the verdict of the ‘touch test’?

Said Yifeng, with a laugh: ‘They (Ann’s breasts) are soft and must be real!’

Tyra moment

So how did Ann feel about her Tyra Banks moment?

In September 2005, the American model underwent a televised sonogram on her talk show to prove that her breasts were not fake, after rumours that she has had a boob job.

Ann said she was ‘ok, and not upset’ by people regularly speculating whether she’s gone under the knife.

But she insists she doesn’t enjoy being seen as a sex symbol.

Her voluptuous figure became a hot talking point ever since she attended the 1996 Star Awards in a peek-a-boo blouse and black bra top.

In 2004, she was voted as one of the 10 sexiest women in the world by the Singapore version of men’s magazine FHM in its annual survey, beating Jamie Yeo, Paris Hilton and Karen Mok.

And even though she played a mother of one and housewife on her last drama, Housewives’ Holiday, the episode where Ann donned a sexy bikini hit a ratings high of 977,000 viewers.

Yet, the 1.62m actress who weighs 42kg, said: ‘I don’t mind being seen as sexy, but not as a sex symbol.

Charisma

‘Being sexy is not just about dressing provocatively, but also about exuding charisma.’

To her, if she’s seen as sexy, ‘that’s just a bonus’.

But above all, she wants to be recognised for her hard work in acting.

Is she concerned that this episode will return attention to her chest again?

Said Ann: ‘I don’t think that will happen.

‘Back in 1996, people were more conservative (towards dressing). But 13 years later, audiences have matured.’

Ann said there were no hard feelings towards the talk show and its hosts.

She said: ‘The show allows audiences to know more about the artistes.

‘And it gives the artistes an opportunity to share what’s in their hearts.’

SLENDER Nancy Wu might not have the liver capacity to gulp down a half-yard of beer in a single sitting.

HER MEN? (Above) Nancy, (below to bottom) Nathan and Kenneth. Ex-boyfriend Deep appeared with Nancy in his music video.

But there’s one thing she definitely doesn’t lack in her life – men.

The 27-year-old Hong Kong actress was in town last weekend, along with fellow TVB stars Kevin Cheng and Myolie Wu, to attend the finals of Beds Beer Battle 2009.

Held at Beds KTV Pub, the event was a competition to discover the fastest beer drinker in Singapore.

She watched in amazement as contestants effortlessly washed down beer at breakneck speed.

After the event, as the doe-eyed beauty sipped gracefully on champagne – clearly her preferred drink – with her colleagues, The New Paper took the chance to quiz her about recent rumours surrounding two male celebrities.

Yes, we’re talking about not one, but two men.

The first is boyish South Korean singer-actor Nathan Lee, 25, member of boyband TAKE and part of the cast of A Starry Night, the new subway drama slated to be screened at train stations in Singapore and China later this year.

Chemistry

Nathan and Nancy were dance partners in the second season of reality talent show Strictly Come Dancing, the Asian version of Hollywood’s Dancing With The Stars.

Their chemistry was undeniable as the pair waltzed, tango-ed and rhumba-ed their way to third prize in the competition, even scoring full marks on two occasions.

Nancy had no qualms about heaping praise on him.

‘I must say Nathan is indeed the best partner I’ve had at work so far,’ said Nancy with a grin.

‘It must be fate’s arrangement that we got to dance together on the show.

‘Somehow, we just clicked very well and were able to communicate with ease.

‘I give him a full 100 marks for his dedication and commitment.’

As for Nathan’s confession of love for her during an interview, she laughed and admitted that she initially found his affection ‘odd’, but eventually didn’t think too much about what he said.

‘He grew up in America and therefore is more Westernised and direct in his behaviour,’ she said.

‘We spent two months on the show and saw each other literally every day, so it’s inevitable that we became close as friends.

‘He’s now pursuing his career in mainland China, I do hope he comes back to Hong Kong some time though!’

Another of her rumoured beaus is goofy-looking 35-year-old fellow TVB actor Kenneth Ma.

The Hong Kong media is rife with reports that the two got to know each other on Strictly Come Dancing.

According to reports, ‘sparks flew despite them being on different teams’ and they have ‘already been secretly dating for nearly a year’.

‘Ahh, it’s pure gossip, we are just very good friends,’ was Nancy’s calm reply.

She said, however, that Kenneth’s ‘down-to-earth disposition’ was one of his most attractive traits.

‘Who doesn’t like a man who is grounded and practical?’

Then, with a sigh, she added: ‘These days, good guys are really hard to come by.’

Hush-hush

Perhaps her decision to remain tight-lipped on her personal life had to do with her previous relationship, which was exposed by the paparazzi.

In February 2006, she was caught on camera shopping for groceries in matching attire with Hong Kong singer Deep Ng. The 25-year-old had his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

Prior to that, Nancy had starred in Deep’s music video for his ballad, Third Party, in which she shared an intimate scene with him.

Following the release of the pictures, Deep confessed to the Hong Kong media that they were an item.

However, the couple’s relationship soon ran its course and they split up a few months later.

While it’s hush-hush on her part about her current relationship status, she was all-smiles when the topic veered to her increasing popularity.

Local fans with placards sporting her name were seen stationed outside Beds KTV as they patiently waited for her arrival at the Beer Battle event, which was by invitation only.

Last December, she bagged the Most Improved Actress award at TVB’s 41st Anniversary Awards, a sign that she had finally hit the big time after eight years in the television industry.

‘It’s great that my efforts have been recognised,’ said Nancy.

‘I’ve been very lucky too, to get the challenging part in (period drama) The Silver Chamber Of Sorrows where I got to play the fourth wife of veteran actor Paul Chun.

‘The character I portrayed in it was a vivacious hostess who spent much of her rough life in seedy nightclubs. It was definitely a refreshing change for me, as well as for my fans who have followed my career all this while.’

The Silver Chamber Of Sorrows is currently showing on VV Drama (Ch 55) on weekdays at 9pm.

HK hunk envies S’pore actor’s wedded bliss

HE is widely considered to be one of Hong Kong television’s most handsome hunks.

But Kevin Cheng feels that his good pal, Singaporean actor and host Ben Yeo is so much luckier.

That is, when it comes to love.

‘I believe in fate and Ben’s really lucky to be able to find someone who can be his love for life,’ the 39-year old actor told The New Paper.

Ben became a first-time father in May this year, and his son Javier’s godfather is none other than Kevin. Does witnessing his buddy’s bliss make him feel like settling down?

‘I’d love to, but you can’t rush things like that,’ he said with a chuckle, adding that some people are fortunate enough to find the right one, while ‘others spend their whole lives searching’. He said he preferred to just let nature take its course.

The bachelor had been previously linked to TVB actresses Niki Chow, 29, and recently, Charmaine Sheh, 34, his co-star in detective series Forensic Heroes II.

Kevin has never admitted to either relationship outright.

While it took a lighthearted drama, Under The Canopy Of Love, to propel him to stardom (he won Best Actor at the 2006 TVB Anniversary Awards for his role in that series), he said he always relishes new challenges.

‘I’ve done several intense, dramatic roles, like in The Ultimate Crime Fighter (where he plays a disturbed, bisexual murderer) and Last One Standing (where he plays an ex-convict) and loved them.

‘But after doing a string of such characters, I hope for a change and to do something different, like a swordfighting drama or a laugh-out-loud comedy.’

Kevin is currently filming the period drama Iron Horse Seeking Bridge, which also stars rumoured couple Kenneth Ma and Nancy Wu.

MODEL BLOGGERS?
These bloggers reveal themselves (almost) for the public, yet put up with the flak and flames
By Elysa Chen
June 08, 2009

ONE WOMAN, dressed in leopard-print lingerie, straddles a chair.

Another, clad in a red thong and bra, is perched on a toilet bowl.

Both are among some 50 aspiring models and bloggers vying for the Best Modeling Blog at this year’s Singapore Blog Awards, which is into its second year.

With their suggestive pictures and provocative poses, these bloggers have turned up the heat in the competition organised by Chinese news-and-entertainment web portal omy.

The Best Modeling Blog category is newly created this year due to the ‘overwhelming response’ last year and the ‘trend of bloggers who like to share their modeling photos’, MsLee Kuan Fung, 40, omy’s associate editor told The New Paper on Sunday.

We speak to four of the nominated bloggers and find out what makes them sizzle.

Nomination and registration for the Blogging Awards close today . Voting will start today and end in July. Results will be announced in August.

SHE’S sitting on a toilet bowl, looking suggestively at the camera, clad in nothing more than a red thong and bra.

That’s the first picture you see when you visit Naomi Liu’s blog.

Under her profile, where there is another picture of her in white lace lingerie, she issues a stern warning to visitors: ‘Respect my blog, bcos its not urs love me,hate me,u decide. (sic) watever u say doesn’t matter i have an attitude but who cares (sic).’

But the 1.65m-tall, doe-eyed model, who has been featured in Playeur and FHM, is anything but fiery in person.

‘People have called me ‘bitch’ and ‘slut’,’ MissLiu said.

‘But it’s like that. I’m not angry with those who call me names. I think I’m just someone who does not flare up easily.’

Her blog, which attracts 10,000 hits daily, even has a counter so she can find out how many of her visitors are her ‘haters’.

Almost 20 per cent, she revealed. But she keeps on blogging because of the encouragement she gets from her fans and friends, she added.

‘I thought of quitting blogging when the negative comments first came. But my friends and relatives said that if I stopped, I’d only seem as though I was really a slut,’ she said.

‘So, to prove that I’m not doing anything wrong, I’ll continue blogging. It’s not as if I’m putting up nude or topless pictures of myself.’

When she gets flamed by netizens, she laughs it off with fellow blogger and best friend, Gui Xuesha.

Miss Liu said that putting up sexy pictures of herself on her blog has also invited advances from men. Miss Liu claims that some people downloaded her pictures and used them to set up fake Facebook and Friendster accounts.

‘For now, I’ll just try to ignore those websites and e-mails from strangers, and have a good laugh!’ she said.

This enterprising young woman, who started modelling three years ago, is now also an agent for up to 50 aspiring models.

For the past year, she has been managing the girls’ portfolios and introducing modelling jobs to them. She gets a sweet 20 per cent cut of their earnings.

It started when her blog got popular more than a year ago, and young women e-mailed her for advice and help to get into the modelling industry.

But it has not always been smooth sailing for the 1.63m-tall beauty, who weighs 44kg.

When she first started posting her pictures online, she said she received comments from people who said she had ‘super fat thighs’, mocked her uneven teeth, and wondered how she got picked for modelling jobs.

Every day, as many as 10 men send her friend requests on Facebook with ‘lousy pickup lines’.

She also came across a website which used her picture for a chatline, she added. But she has learnt to ignore these messages and has contacted the site’s webmaster to remove her picture.

Despite the unwanted attention, she does not feel the need to be more careful about what she puts up on her blog – which gets 900 hits a day.

‘I don’t have to be more careful because people know who I am, and they know that I do not offer such services,’ she explained.